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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, March 31, 2009

UH bowl travel review continues

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

While its review of the University of Hawai'i Sugar Bowl trip closes in on a year, the state Ethics Commission said it sees no need to look into the school's most recent bowl appearance, the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl.

The commission is entering the 10th month of a review of UH's appearance in the Jan. 1, 2008, Sugar Bowl, checking to see whether state employees, guests, and others who received tickets, hotel rooms or flights served a legitimate purpose by being in New Orleans and if state ethics laws were violated.

Although some questions were initially raised about children who accompanied staff on the trip, Dan Mollway, executive director of the commission, said "everyone who went is a matter of potential review."

UH has disclosed the names of nearly 600 people who formed the travel party for the Bowl Championship Series game. UH has said it paid nearly $2 million for the group which included football players, band members, officials, family members and some guests.

That review will likely take until May or June. Mollway said the commission is awaiting answers from UH to an extensive list of the latest round of questions posed by commission attorneys.

UH associate athletic director Carl Clapp said he hopes to have a reply to the commission within the next 30 days.

Mollway said the commission's review has been slowed by more pressing cases and staff shortages.

Meanwhile, Mollway praised UH's cooperation in working with the commission prior to the Dec. 23, 2008, Hawai'i Bowl. Because of the dialogue, Mollway said, "We haven't seen anything that has caused us to believe there are issues to deal with (from the Hawai'i Bowl)."

Mollway cited athletic director Jim Donovan's familiarity with the process. "Given our dealings over the years he is, simply, more inclined to seek our advice than most, I would say."

Donovan said UH limited its Hawai'i Bowl party to "those who normally travel with the football team when it goes on the road and some extra trainers."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.